Brawling family off-loaded after nightmare cruise

A WILD brawl on a cruise ship led to police boarding the vessel off the New South Wales south coast and removing six men and three teenage boys from the same extended family yesterday.

One large family on-board the Carnival Legend is believed to have caused the “bloodbath” by fighting on several occasions during the 10-day cruise.

Terrified passengers locked themselves and their families in cabins to escape the violence.

NSW Police said security detained several men before notifying the Marine Area Command.

“Six men and three teenage boys were removed from the ship at Twofold Bay, Eden,” a police spokesman said.

“A further 14 passengers, including women and children, also left the ship. The group were transported to Canberra where other travel arrangements were made.”

The sustained anti-social behaviour is understood to have culminated in a brawl at 12.45am yesterday which involved other guests, security and crew members, forcing officials to contact police.

NSW Police marine area command boarded the ship at 8am yesterday and removed the passengers about 1.30pm.

Relieved passengers cheered as police arrived to eject the unruly guests.

Video clips have since emerged capturing shocking scenes of the violence.

“Police are investigating an alleged fight on-board a cruise ship while it was about 220km off Jervis Bay,” a NSW police spokesman said.